If you spend a few hours watching groups of golfers come in from the 18th hole of a golf course, chances are you will see quite a few players wearing hats.
Hats are popular in the game of golf, and most players have quite a few of them.
Those new to the game or just starting to get serious about it often wonder if these hats and caps are mandatory.
If you are wondering about which type of golf hats are the best, why golfers wear them, and whether or not it is part of the golf dress code, we have you covered.
Do You Have To Wear A Hat In Golf?
Wearing a hat to play golf is not mandatory or part of the dress code.
However, since the majority of golfers find that the sun can cause issues with skin damage as well as glare, they choose to wear a hat.
Golfers typically choose hats that have a wider brim and fabric that is moisture-wicking and comfortable.
To be better prepared for your next round of golf, it helps to know which are the best type of golf hats and why golfers wear hats.
What Are The Best Types Of Golf Hats?
There are several types of golf hats that players will wear.
These typically include the baseball cap, the sun hat, the visor, and the flat cap.
All four of these hats can be effective in making it easier to see the hole and ensuring that your face has some protection from the sun.
Let’s take a look at each of these hats to determine which could be the best for your game and why some are preferred over others.
1. Baseball Cap
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The baseball cap is the most popular style of golf hat and generally seems to be preferred by most players.
The great thing about the baseball cap is that it can come in many different styles and designs.
You can have a hat to match every outfit in your closet or support the brands you love the most.
The baseball cap is also comfortable and can be moisture-wicking to keep you cool while you play.
The front brim of the hat does a great job of blocking the sun from your face and ensuring that you are somewhat protected from its harmful rays.
Most baseball caps come in several sizes, and they are easy to take care of and wash.
Chances are your favorite golf brands will have several different golf hats to choose from and enjoy when you start shopping for a baseball cap for golf.
2. Sun Hat
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The sun hat for golfers is becoming more and more popular.
These hats have a wide brim and do a much better job of blocking a golfer’s ears, neck, and face from the sun.
With a sun hat on, you will not have to be as concerned with the amount of sunscreen you wear, although sunscreen is still strongly recommended for golfers.
Most of the sun hats also are made with a material that keeps sweat away.
Moisture-wicking fabric helps to ensure that you are staying cool while also getting the protection you are looking for.
A sun hat allows players to enjoy time on the golf course, but the hats can also be used on the beach or in a boat.
The one thing to watch out for with a sun hat is that the string or band used to keep the hat on does not get in your way.
When swinging, this band is sometimes visible, and it can create problems for some players.
Look for something with a removable or no strap at all, and you should not have as many concerns about this.
3. Visor
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A visor is a very popular type of golf hat that keeps the top of the head exposed but has a brim that extends to shield the face of the player.
The visor is popular in areas where the weather is considerably warmer, and it becomes challenging to stay cool with a hat on your head.
Many women golfers also like visors because they do a good job of keeping their hair in place, unlike a traditional baseball cap.
A visor is a good choice typically when it comes to value because they are often considerably less expensive as less fabric is used to create the hat.
One thing to be sure of with a visor is that you still use some kind of sun protection for the top of your head.
A bit of sunscreen is typically necessary, or you may end up with some burning on the top part of your head.
However, for those who don’t want to be feeling warm while on the golf course but want to ensure sun protection, the visor is an intelligent choice.
4. Flat Cap
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A flat cap is similar to the hat that Ben Hogan, Bryson Dechambeau, or Payne Stweart have worn on the PGA Tour.
These have a classic golf look and are typically made with a softer fabric material.
The flat cap is a bit more a style piece than a functional hat.
It will keep the top of your head protected from the sun, but the brim is not really long enough to stop the sun from getting in your eyes or on your face.
The flat cap is a smart choice for golfers who want a more classic look or are playing golf at a historic club.
These are also worn more often in the winter and fall because they will keep the head a bit warmer.
Warmth during those cooler months on the course can be a good thing.
Why Do Golfers Wear Hats?
Golfers wear hats because they are trying to block the sun from their faces when they are setting up to hit a ball.
There are quite a few variables in the game of golf, and if you don’t have great vision when setting up to hit, you will want to consider wearing a hat.
However, there are other reasons behind golfers wearing hats, and each of them should be taken into consideration.
1. Sun Protection
Golfers need to carefully watch how much sun they get on their faces when on the golf course.
Even when you wear sunscreen, the added benefit of having a hat on is typically a good idea.
The problem with golf is not always the intensity of the sun. It is the length of exposure.
Most rounds of golf last four to six hours, and that is quite a bit of time to be without shelter.
The hat creates a shelter of sorts that can keep you protected from the harmful UV rays that we are all exposed to daily.
Some hats have UV protection built in.
The UV Protection hats should be considered for those with increased concerns about the sun and the long-term impacts it can have on the skin.
2. Anti Glare
Have you noticed that on many golf hats, the underside of the brim is a dark color?
This dark color is supposed to eliminate some of the glare that could be coming off of the club head or the golf ball.
If you don’t want to play with sunglasses on, then a hat is a must.
Many golfers find that sunglasses distort their vision and make it really difficult to see what they are doing on the course.
However, with a baseball cap in place, the sunglasses may not be as important, and the player can have a much clearer look at what they are doing.
The impact position in golf happens in a split second, and all factors should be considered when trying to hit the ball correctly.
Proper vision at impact is essential to ensure that you hit a great shot, and the hat will help.
3. Fashion/Style
Some golfers wear hats simply because they want to.
A hat can look great with a certain type of golf outfit and tie in with the colors that you are wearing in both your pants and your shirt.
Golfers can also wear a hat that represents the brands they like best or even an event they have played in the past.
Many people will go to an event like the Masters and then buy a hat to wear to show that they enjoyed this time and as a remembrance of the event.
Golf hats have come a long way in the last several years, and there are colors and styles that work for all types of players.
Regardless of what your typical style is or what colors you like, there are golf hats available to suit your needs.
4. Control Sweat
One other area that golf hats can help players is when it comes to controlling sweat.
Sweat is a major issue when you are standing over a golf ball, and it starts to drip down your face.
The problem with controlling sweat is that you won’t be able to do so unless you have something to catch it.
The best way for a golfer to catch this sweat before it gets into their line of sight is to consider a golf hat.
A golf hat with a sweat band or a moisture wicking fabric will grab the sweat, dry it quickly, and make it considerably easier for players that are trying to stay focused on the ball.
If this is one of the issues you run into on the golf course, make sure that you are smart about the type of hat you choose.
Pick a performance-type fabric that dries quickly and is easy to wash.
Golfers who play in areas like Florida or Arizona typically need to think about these types of features when they purchase a golf hat.
Why Do Golfers Remove Their Caps?
Many golfers remove their caps on the last hole and shake hands with their playing partner or opponent.
This is a classic move that shows respect in the game of golf.
You have to remember that the traditions established in this game date back hundreds of years to a time when people had much greater respect for others, even strangers.
Golf teaches integrity and humility, and it also ensures that players are treating others in their group with the respect that they deserve.
Removing your cap is a fundamental way to ensure that everyone in your group knows you are a good sportsman and that you are not upset about the round or disappointed in how you played.
Even if you lose a match, it is best to remove the cap at the end and look people in the eye to say thank you for the round of golf.
These are some of the traditions of the game that we will never want to see disappear.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you can now see that although golfers aren’t required to wear hats, for many of them, it makes sense.
The hat can provide some great benefits, and players should consider these benefits when they are deciding what to wear on the course.
Remember that proper sun protection will likely require more than just a hat and that all players should consider this as well.
In the end, it’s your choice as far as what you wear to play golf as long as you are correctly adhering to the dress code at the course you play.
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